House, 54 Wilson Street

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as a substantially intact brick and iron residence from the 1900s.
• The place has historic value for its association with the development of the area known as West Guildford, later Bassendean in the 1910s.
• The place has historic value for its association with member of the West Guildford Road Board, Charles McSwain and his family.
• The place has social value as a demonstration of the scale of housing constructed for more affluent members of the community in the 1900s.

Physical Description

A single storey brick and iron dwelling with a high hipped roof and tall brick corbelled chimneys. The painted brick symmetrical façade features timber framed, 1-over-1 sash windows. The bullnose verandah canopy is supported on painted brick columns, extending across the full width of the front elevation. The dwelling is set within a mature garden enclosed by wire fencing.

History

This portion of Bassendean, on the eastern side of Wilson Street, was subdivided by a group of investors in 1898 under the promotional name of 'West End'. The group of investors included some of the most wellknown members of colonial society: S.H. Parker, G.H. Leake, H. Anstey, Dr D. Kenny, J. James, J. Grave, H.E. Parry, Dr J. Hope and W. Paterson. Three of these men; Parker, Leake and Paterson; were at various times members of parliament. Wilson Street was the western boundary of this subdivision and a slightly later subdivision was created c1902 on the western side of Wilson Street. The name of the street recognises either the Premier of Western Australia, Frank Wilson but more likely an early resident of Guildford, Colonel Wilson. From the available information this residence set within two of the housing lots was one of the first in the street built c1903 for carpenter, Charles James Morrison McSwain (c1870-1949) and his wife Annie Eleanor McSwain. The couple had four children. It is possible that McSwain contributed to the construction of this cottage.
Charles McSwain was a member of the West Guildford Road Board, 1904-1908 and 1909-1913, and an employee of Cuming Smith and Co. In the 1910s he suggested the name ‘Florida’ for the suburb of West Guildford after the well-known brand name for the superphosphate made by Cuming Smith and Co.

Integrity/Authenticity

High
Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

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